[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 76 (Monday, April 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22122-22129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08964]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Promoting the Readiness of Minors in
Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) Technical Assistance Center
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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Overview Information
Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income
(PROMISE) Technical Assistance Center
Notice inviting applications for a new award for fiscal year (FY)
2014.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.418T
DATES: Applications Available: April 21, 2014.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 5, 2014.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 4, 2014.
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: Promoting the Readiness of Minors in
Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) is a joint initiative of the
U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Social Security Administration,
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S.
Department of Labor. PROMISE is intended to improve the provision and
coordination of services and supports for child Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) recipients and their families to enable them to achieve
improved outcomes and reduce their long-term reliance on SSI payments.
In FY 2013, the Department funded six three-year model demonstration
projects (MDPs) with an option for two additional years based on
performance, for a total of five years under the PROMISE program. The
purpose of this priority is to provide technical assistance to assist
MDPs in the implementation of their projects and to increase their
capacity to improve services and supports to child SSI recipients and
their families. For further information about this program, please see
the notice inviting applications for PROMISE published in the Federal
Register on May 21, 2013 at 78 FR 29733 and the PROMISE Web site at
www.ed.gov/promise.
Priority: We are establishing this priority for the FY 2014 grant
competition in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of the General
Education Provisions Act (GEPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1).
Absolute Priority: This priority is an absolute priority. Under 34
CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this
priority.
Background
The purpose of this priority is to fund one cooperative agreement
for up to 48 months to establish and operate a PROMISE Technical
Assistance Center (Center). The Center will provide technical
assistance (TA) to the PROMISE program MDPs to support the
implementation of these projects and increase their capacity to improve
services and supports to child SSI recipients and their families.
In FY 2013, the Department funded six five-year MDPs under the
PROMISE program to improve the education and employment outcomes of
child SSI recipients and their families that may eventually lead to
increased economic self-sufficiency and a reduction in their dependence
on SSI payments. Each MDP must address several core features, including
the: (a) Development of strong and effective partnerships; (b)
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coordination of transition services and supports for child SSI
recipients and their families; and (c) management of data collection
and tracking of the MDPs' performance.
On the Department's behalf, the American Institutes for Research
conducted a TA needs assessment of the MDPs, which identified the need
for TA in addressing these core features. Specifically, the MDPs
expressed the need for TA to train interagency coordinators and manage
interagency systems, better engage parents and families, and ensure
fidelity of implementation of MDP services and supports. In addition,
MDP staff indicated needs for various areas of expertise (e.g., dropout
prevention, mental health services, secondary transition evidence-based
practices, scaling up evidence-based practices, and postsecondary
education for youth with disabilities and their families).
TA is necessary to assist MDPs in meeting the requirement that they
establish formal partnerships in their respective States among agencies
and organizations involved in implementing services and supports for
child SSI recipients and their families. TA in this area would assist
MDPs in forming effective partnerships across multiple stakeholders,
coordinating and managing systems across agencies, and supporting a
shared leadership approach with interactions coalescing around issues,
relevant participation, and collaboration (Cashman et al., 2014).
MDPs also need TA on coordinating services and supports for child
SSI recipients and their families. The need for TA in this area in
particular is evident given the findings of a recent U.S. Government
Accountability Office (GAO) report (GAO-12-594) (hereafter ``GAO,
2012''), describing the gaps in the coordination of transition support
services provided by Federal, State, and local governments, as well as
the limitations of the current structure of services to help child SSI
recipients transition from high school to postsecondary education and
competitive employment. The GAO concluded that it is difficult for
providers to coordinate services across different programs (GAO, 2012).
Furthermore, TA focused on engaging parents specifically, as
indicated in the MDP needs assessment, would support the MDPs in
increasing their capacity to reach and provide services to the families
of participating children. The GAO's findings on the difficulty faced
by parents in navigating different transition programs for their
children with disabilities support the need for TA in this area (GAO,
2012). In addition, the GAO indicated that families lacked sufficient
information about, or awareness of, the full range of service options
available after high school for students with disabilities (GAO, 2012).
Given the nature of SSI eligibility criteria and the varied geographic
locations of the MDPs, TA may also help MDPs reach underserved
families, including those with limited English proficiency, or who are
of Native American descent. For these reasons, TA would help MDPs
address a particularly challenging set of issues for these populations
of families and meet the requirements of the program.
MDPs also indicated that they could benefit from assistance in
conducting formative evaluations consistent with their data collection
plans. SSA has funded a national evaluator to conduct a rigorous
evaluation of the MDPs using a randomized controlled trial design.
However, the MDPs must independently conduct formative evaluations of
their activities and some have hired their own evaluators. The Center
must work with all evaluators to ensure coordinated TA, services, and
products. In addition, since the MDPs will use these formative
evaluations to assess their progress and inform their decision-making,
they will benefit from receiving TA in data collection and the tracking
of their performance. They will also need to receive TA to ensure they
are implementing their models with fidelity.
To address the identified areas of need for TA, the Center funded
under this priority will work in concert with each MDP to address the
goals of the PROMISE program.
Priority
The purpose of this priority is to fund a cooperative agreement to
establish and operate a PROMISE Technical Assistance Center (Center)
that supports PROMISE Model Demonstration Projects (MDPs). At a
minimum, the Center must meet the following expected outcomes:
(a) Improved skills of State and local personnel to support
partnerships among agencies responsible for administering programs that
provide services to MDP SSI recipients and their families.
(b) Improved implementation of interventions for MDP SSI recipients
and their families, including a coordinated set of services and
supports designed to improve the education and employment outcomes of
MDP SSI recipients and their families.
(c) Increased knowledge that supports training to the families of
participating children about--
(1) The parents' role in supporting and advocating for their
children's education and employment goals; and
(2) Resources for improving the education and employment outcomes
of the parents and the economic self-sufficiency of the family.
(d) Improved methods to develop and implement a plan for conducting
a formative evaluation of each MDP activity and model, consistent with
the proposed logic model and data collection plan, to assess the MDP's
performance and progress in achieving its goals and inform decision
making.
(e) Improved methods for collecting data and the capacity to track
and manage MDP information, such as service participation and
documentation sufficient to replicate MDPs.
In addition to these programmatic requirements, to be considered
for funding under this priority, applicants must meet the application
and administrative requirements in this priority. The Office of Special
Education Programs (OSEP) encourages innovative approaches to meeting
the following requirements:
(a) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Significance of the Project,'' how the proposed Center will--
(1) Address the gaps and weaknesses of each MDP in forming
partnerships, delivering services and supports for child SSI recipients
and their families, conducting formative evaluations to allow for mid-
course corrections, and providing TA and training for applicable State,
regional, and local staff. To meet this requirement the applicant
must--
(i) Demonstrate how the Center will analyze applicable State,
regional, and local data to identify the training and information needs
of each MDP in order to address gaps and weaknesses in forming
partnerships, delivering services and supports for child SSI recipients
and their families, conducting formative evaluations, and providing TA
to MDP staff;
(ii) Demonstrate knowledge of current and previous issues and
policy initiatives relating to the provision and coordination of
services and supports for child SSI recipients and their families that
enable them to achieve improved educational and employment outcomes and
economic self-sufficiency; and
(iii) Present the best available information on promising
strategies and practices, including, where available, evidence of the
effectiveness of the
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proposed strategies and practices, related to the provision and
coordination of services and supports for child SSI recipients and
their families.
(2) Result in each MDP's improved ability and capacity to form
partnerships, deliver services and supports for child SSI recipients
and their families, conduct formative evaluations allowing for mid-
course corrections, and provide TA and training for applicable State,
regional, and local staff.
(b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Quality of the Project Services,'' how the proposed Center will--
(1) Identify the needs of each MDP for TA and information that will
improve the provision and coordination of services and supports for
child SSI recipients and their families that result in changed
educational and employment outcomes and economic self-sufficiency;
(2) Ensure equal access and treatment for members of groups that
have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability. To meet this requirement, the
applicant must describe how it will ensure that products and services
meet the needs of the intended recipients and are produced in
accessible formats and languages;
(3) Achieve its goals, objectives, and intended outcomes. To meet
this requirement, the applicant must provide--
(i) Measurable intended outcomes for the proposed Center; and
(ii) The logic model by which the proposed Center will achieve its
intended outcomes;
(4) Use a conceptual framework to develop project plans and
activities, describing any underlying concepts, assumptions,
expectations, beliefs, or theories, as well as the presumed
relationships or linkages among them, and any empirical support for
this framework;
(5) Be based on current research and make use of evidence-based
practices. To meet this requirement, the applicant must describe--
(i) The current research on the effectiveness of partnerships
(e.g., interagency collaboration), and a coordinated set of services
and supports designed to improve the education and employment outcomes
and economic self-sufficiency of child SSI recipients and their
families (e.g., case management, benefits counseling, work-based
learning experiences, parent training and information);
(ii) The current research about adult learning principles and
implementation science and how this information will be used to provide
training and TA to the MDPs; and
(iii) How the proposed Center will incorporate current research and
evidence-based practices in the development and delivery of its TA and
services;
(6) Develop products and provide services that are of high quality
and sufficient intensity and duration to achieve the intended outcomes
of the proposed Center. To address this requirement, the applicant must
describe--
(i) How it proposes to identify or develop the knowledge base of
current research and evidence-based practices designed to improve the
education and employment outcomes and economic self-sufficiency of
child SSI recipients and their families;
(ii) Its proposed approach to targeted, specialized TA,\1\ which
must identify the intended recipients of the products and services
under this approach; and
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\1\ As used in this priority, ``targeted, specialized TA'' means
TA service based on needs common to multiple recipients and not
extensively individualized. A relationship is established between
the TA recipient and one or more TA center staff. This category of
TA includes one-time, labor-intensive events, such as facilitating
strategic planning or hosting regional or national conferences. It
can also include episodic, less labor-intensive events that extend
over a period of time, such as facilitating a series of conference
calls on single or multiple topics that are designed around the
needs of the recipients. Facilitating communities of practice can
also be considered targeted, specialized TA.
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(iii) Its proposed approach to intensive, sustained TA,\2\ which
must identify--
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\2\ As used in this priority, ``intensive, sustained TA'' means
TA services often provided onsite and requiring a stable, ongoing
relationship between the TA center staff and the TA recipient. ``TA
services'' are defined as a negotiated series of activities designed
to reach a valued outcome. This category of TA should result in
changes to policy, program, practice, or operations that support
increased recipient capacity or improved outcomes at one or more
systems levels.
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(A) The intended recipients of the products and services under this
approach;
(B) Its proposed plan for assisting applicable State, regional, and
local agencies with training systems that include professional
development based on adult learning principles and coaching; and
(C) Its proposed plan for working with applicable State, regional,
and local agencies to ensure communication among all levels to support
interagency collaboration, resource and data sharing consistent with
the consent requirements in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
confidentiality of information provisions \3\ and any other Federal and
State laws or regulations that govern the privacy or confidentiality of
student information, and innovative methods of service and support
provision;
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\3\ If agencies are sharing data contained in education records,
the requirements in FERPA and the IDEA FERPA and its implementing
regulations); and 20 U.S.C. 1417(c) and 34 CFR Sec. Sec. 300.610-
300.626 (IDEA confidentiality of information provisions).
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(7) Develop products and implement services that maximize each
MDP's efficiency. To address this requirement, the applicant must
describe--
(i) How the proposed Center will use technology to achieve its
intended outcomes;
(ii) With whom the proposed Center will collaborate and the
intended outcomes of this collaboration; and
(iii) How the proposed Center will use non-project resources to
achieve its intended outcomes.
(c) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Quality of the Evaluation Plan,'' how--
(1) The proposed Center will collect and analyze data on specific
and measurable goals, objectives, and intended outcomes of the Center.
To address this requirement, the applicant must describe its--
(i) Proposed evaluation methodologies, including instruments, data
collection methods, and analyses; and
(ii) Proposed standards or targets for determining effectiveness.
(2) The Center will use the evaluation results to examine the
effectiveness of its implementation and its progress toward achieving
intended outcomes; and
(3) The methods of evaluation will produce quantitative and
qualitative data that demonstrate whether the Center achieved its
intended outcomes.
(d) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Adequacy of Project Resources,'' how--
(1) The proposed Center will encourage applications for employment
from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been
underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or
disability, as appropriate;
(2) The proposed key Center personnel, consultants, and
subcontractors have the qualifications and experience to carry out the
proposed activities and achieve the Center's intended outcomes;
[[Page 22125]]
(3) The applicant and any key partners have adequate resources to
carry out the proposed activities; and
(4) The proposed costs are reasonable in relation to the
anticipated results and benefits.
(e) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Quality of the Management Plan,'' how--
(1) The proposed management plan will ensure that the Center's
intended outcomes will be achieved on time and within budget. To
address this requirement, the applicant must describe--
(i) Clearly defined responsibilities for key Center personnel,
consultants, and subcontractors, as applicable; and
(ii) Timelines and milestones for accomplishing the Center's tasks;
(2) How key personnel and any consultants and subcontractors will
be allocated to the Center and how these allocations are appropriate
and adequate to achieve the Center's intended outcomes;
(3) The proposed management plan will ensure that the products and
services provided are of high quality; and
(4) The proposed Center will benefit from a diversity of
perspectives, including those of child SSI recipients and their
families; agencies and organizations (e.g., State VR service providers,
Workforce Development service providers, Medicaid service providers,
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families service providers,
developmental and intellectual disabilities service providers, mental
health service providers); State educational agency officials as well
as educators (e.g., special education and related services personnel
under Part B of IDEA, transition personnel); TA providers; researchers;
and policy makers, among others, in its development and operation.
(f) Address the following application requirements. The applicant
must--
(1) Include in Appendix A a logic model that depicts, at a minimum,
the goals, activities, outputs, and intended outcomes of the proposed
Center. A logic model communicates how a Center will achieve its
intended outcomes and provides a framework for both the formative and
summative evaluations of the Center.
Note: The following Web sites provide more information on logic
models: www.researchutilization.org/matrix/logicmodel_resource3c.html and www.tadnet.org/pages/589;
(2) Include in Appendix A a conceptual framework for the Center;
(3) Include in Appendix A person-loading charts and timelines,
as applicable, to illustrate the management plan described in the
narrative;
(4) Include in the budget attendance at the following:
(i) A one and one-half day kick-off meeting in Washington, DC,
after receipt of the award, and an annual planning meeting in
Washington, DC, with the OSEP project officer and other relevant
staff during each subsequent year of the project period.
Note: Within 30 days of receipt of the award, a post-award
teleconference must be held between the OSEP project officer and the
grantee's project director or other authorized representative;
(ii) A two and one-half day project directors' conference in
Washington, DC, during each year of the project period;
(iii) Two, two-day trips annually to attend Department
briefings, Department-sponsored conferences, and other meetings, as
requested by OSEP; and
(iv) A one-day intensive review meeting in Washington, DC,
during the first half of the second year of the project period;
(5) Maintain a Web site that meets government or industry-
recognized standards for accessibility.
Third and Fourth Years of the Project
In deciding whether to continue funding the Center for the third
and fourth years, the Secretary will consider the requirements of 34
CFR 75.253(a), as well as--
(a) The recommendation of a review team consisting of experts
selected by the Secretary. This review will be conducted during a one-
day intensive meeting that will be held during the first half of the
second year of the project period;
(b) The timeliness and effectiveness with which all requirements of
the negotiated cooperative agreement have been or are being met by the
Center; and
(c) The quality, relevance, and usefulness of the Center's products
and services and the extent to which the project's products and
services are aligned with its project's objectives and likely to result
in the Center achieving its intended outcomes.
References
Cashman, J., Linehan, P., Purcell, L., Rosser, M., Schultz, S., &
Skalski, S. (2014). Leading by convening: A blueprint for authentic
engagement. Alexandria, VA: National Association of State Directors
of Special Education.
U.S. Government Accountability Office. (July 12, 2012). Students
with Disabilities: Better Federal Coordination Could Lessen
Challenges in the Transition from High School (GAO-12-594).
Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure
Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities and
requirements. Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, however, allows the Secretary
to exempt from this rulemaking requirement regulations governing the
first grant competition under a new or substantially revised program
authority. This is the first TA grant competition for this program
under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (Pub. L. 112-74), as
incorporated into the Consolidated and Further Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2013, (Pub. L. 113-6), and therefore qualifies for
this exception. In order to ensure timely grant awards, the Secretary
has decided to forego public comment on the priority. This priority
will apply to the FY 2014 grant competition only and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from
this competition.
Program Authority: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (Pub.
L. 112-74), as incorporated into the Consolidated and Further
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, (Pub. L. 113-6).
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80,
81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Education Department debarment
and suspension regulations in 2 CFR part 3485.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants
except federally recognized Indian tribes.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education (IHEs) only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
Estimated Available Funds: $2,000,000.
Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a
budget exceeding $500,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The
Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum amount through a notice
published in the Federal Register.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 48 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: State educational agencies; local
educational agencies (LEAs), including public charter schools that
operate as LEAs and receive funding under Part B of IDEA;
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IHEs; other public agencies; private nonprofit organizations; outlying
areas; freely associated States; Indian tribes or tribal organizations;
and for-profit organizations.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching.
3. Other General Requirements:
(a) Recipients of funding under this program must make positive
efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with
disabilities (see section 606 of IDEA).
(b) Each applicant for, and recipient of, funding under this
program must involve individuals with disabilities, or parents of
individuals with disabilities ages birth through 26, in planning,
implementing, and evaluating the project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of
IDEA).
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an
application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications
Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following
address: www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html. To obtain a
copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: ED Pubs, U.S.
Department of Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304.
Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (703) 605-6794. If you use a
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY),
call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at
its email address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov.
If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify
this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.418T.
Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape,
or compact disc) by contacting the person or team listed under
Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application)
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that
reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit Part III to
no more than 50 pages, using the following standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5 x 11, on one side
only, with 1 margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
Double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations, reference citations, and captions, as well as
all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots.
Use a font that is 12 point or larger.
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font
(including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
The page limit and double-spacing requirement does not apply to
Part I, the cover sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the
narrative budget justification; Part IV, the assurances and
certifications; or the abstract (follow the guidance provided in the
application package for completing the abstract), the table of
contents, the list of priority requirements, the resumes, the reference
list, the letters of support, or the appendices. However, the page
limit and double-spacing requirement does apply to all of Part III, the
application narrative, including all text in charts, tables, figures,
graphs, and screen shots.
We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit in the
application narrative section; or if you apply standards other than
those specified in the application package.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
Applications Available: April 21, 2014.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 5, 2014.
Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, please refer to section IV. 7. Other Submission
Requirements of this notice.
We do not consider an application that does not comply with the
deadline requirements.
Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the
application process, the individual's application remains subject to
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 4, 2014.
4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order
12372 is in the application package for this program.
5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification
Number, and System for Award Management: To do business with the
Department of Education, you must--
a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the System for Award
Management (SAM) (formerly the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)), the
Government's primary registrant database;
c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
d. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number
can be created within one-to-two business days.
If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service.
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a
new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
The SAM registration process can take approximately seven business
days, but may take upwards of several weeks, depending on the
completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by
an entity. Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal
financial assistance under a program administered by the Department,
please allow sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number
and TIN. We strongly recommend that you register early.
Note: Once your SAM registration is active, you will need to
allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in
Grants.gov. and
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before you can submit an application through Grants.gov.
If you are currently registered with SAM, you may not need to make
any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN associated with
your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will need to update
your registration annually. This may take three or more business days.
Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further
assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in
SAM or updating your existing SAM account, we have prepared a SAM.gov
Tip Sheet, which you can find at: http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.
In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov,
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.
7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under
this competition must be submitted electronically unless you qualify
for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the
instructions in this section.
a. Electronic Submission of Applications
Applications for grants under the Promoting the Readiness of Minors
in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) Technical Assistance Center
competition, CFDA number 84.418T, must be submitted electronically
using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at www.Grants.gov.
Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the
application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit
your application. You may not email an electronic copy of a grant
application to us.
We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
You may access the electronic grant application for the Promoting
the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE)
Technical Assistance Center competition at www.Grants.gov. You must
search for the downloadable application package for this competition by
the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your
search (e.g., search for 84.418, not 84.418T).
Please note the following:
When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find
information about submitting an application electronically through the
site, as well as the hours of operation.
Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov
system--after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after
4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
The amount of time it can take to upload an application
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
You should review and follow the Education Submission
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are
included in the application package for this competition to ensure that
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures
pertaining to Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5
system home page at www.G5.gov.
You will not receive additional point value because you
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your
application in paper format.
You must submit all documents electronically, including
all information you typically provide on the following forms: The
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and
certifications.
You must upload any narrative sections and all other
attachments to your application as files in a PDF (Portable Document)
read-only, non-modifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only,
non-modifiable PDF or submit a password-protected file, we will not
review that material. Additional, detailed information on how to attach
files is in the application instructions.
Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
After you electronically submit your application, you will
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send
a second notification to you by email. This second notification
indicates that the Department has received your application and has
assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified
identifying number unique to your application).
We may request that you provide us original signatures on
forms at a later date.
Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
If you are prevented from electronically submitting your
application on the application deadline date because of technical
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem
[[Page 22128]]
you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The
Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether
your application will be accepted.
Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.
Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application
through the Grants.gov system because--
You do not have access to the Internet; or
You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to
the Grants.gov system; and
No later than two weeks before the application deadline
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception
prevent you from using the Internet to submit your application.
If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be
postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline
date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must
receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the
application deadline date.
Address and mail or fax your statement to: Corinne Weidenthal, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4115, Potomac
Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2600. FAX: (202) 245-7617.
Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail
If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail
the original and two copies of your application, on or before the
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA Number 84.418T), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20202-4260.
You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
U.S. Postal Service.
(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.
(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the
U.S. Department of Education.
If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
(1) A private metered postmark.
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
If your application is postmarked after the application deadline
date, we will not consider your application.
Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a
dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with
your local post office.
c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.
If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper
application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original
and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA Number 84.418T), 550 12th Street SW., Room 7039, Potomac Center
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Note for Mail or Hand
Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or hand deliver your
application to the Department--
(1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the
Department--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix
letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your
application; and
(2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification
of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this
notification within 15 business days from the application deadline
date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application
Control Center at (202) 245-6288.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are
from 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package.
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
3. Additional Review and Selection Process Factors:
In the past, the Department has had difficulty finding peer
reviewers for certain competitions because so many individuals who are
eligible to serve as peer reviewers have conflicts of interest. The
standing panel requirements under section 682(b) of IDEA also have
placed additional constraints on the availability of reviewers.
Therefore, the Department has determined that for some discretionary
grant competitions, applications may be separated into two or more
groups and ranked and selected for funding within specific groups. This
procedure will make it easier for the Department to find peer reviewers
by ensuring that greater numbers of individuals who are eligible to
serve as reviewers for any particular group of applicants will not have
conflicts of interest. It also will increase the quality, independence,
and fairness of the review process, while permitting panel members to
review applications under discretionary grant competitions for which
they also have submitted applications. However, if the Department
decides to select an equal number of applications in each group
[[Page 22129]]
for funding, this may result in different cut-off points for fundable
applications in each group.
4. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary
may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is
not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance;
has a financial or other management system that does not meet the
standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled
the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally,
also.
If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition,
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the
Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual
performance report that provides the most current performance and
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting,
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
4. Performance Measures: The Department will work with the grantee
to develop project performance measures based on the measurable goals,
objectives, and intended outcomes of the Center, consistent with the
priority's application and administrative requirements in paragraph(c)
under the ``Quality of the Evaluation Plan.''
Note: The following Web site provides more information on
writing performance measures: http://www.tadnet.org/pages/589.
5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a
grantee has made ``substantial progress toward meeting the objectives
in its approved application.'' This consideration includes the review
of a grantee's progress in meeting the targets and projected outcomes
in its approved application, and whether the grantee has expended funds
in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and
budget. In making a continuation grant, the Secretary also considers
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
VII. Agency Contact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Corinne Weidenthal, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4115, PCP, Washington, DC
20202-2600. Telephone: (202) 245-6529.
If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the Federal Relay Service (FRS),
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
VIII. Other Information
Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) by contacting
the Grants and Contracts Services Team, U.S. Department of Education,
400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5075, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2550.
Telephone: (202) 245-7363. If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the FRS,
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free
Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the
Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well
as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the
site.
You may also access documents of the Department published in the
Federal Register by using the article search feature at:
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
by the Department.
Dated: April 14, 2014.
Michael K. Yudin,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services.
[FR Doc. 2014-08964 Filed 4-18-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P